THE man who helped bring the Commonwealth Games to Manchester is recovering in hospital after a heart attack.

Sir Bob Scott, who was also involved in the city's Olympic bids, underwent life-saving surgery in Liverpool after complaining of chest pains. The 58-year-old is leading Liverpool's bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008.

His wife Alicia has travelled from their London home to be at his bedside.

A spokeswoman for Liverpool University Hospital said Sir Bob was resting and his condition was "comfortable."

She said Sir Bob underwent an angiogram and an angioplasty. The procedure involves inflating a miniature balloon inside a blocked artery to restore blood flow.

He is likely to remain in the cardiothoracic centre, where Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier underwent emergency surgery last year, for the next seven days.

Blackley MP Graham Stringer, who worked alongside Sir Bob on the Olympic and Commonwealth bids, said: "I am very shocked to hear this news. Sir Bob did a fantastic job for Manchester."